Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and other Co-facilitators of the Democratic Republic of Congo peace process met with the African Union (AU) Mediator, President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, in Lomé, Togo.
The leaders, according to Uhuru, insisted on the importance of dialogue and cooperation among the conflicting parties, the DRC government and the M23 rebel group.
They also welcomed a recent resolution between DRC and Rwanda, a process that led to a ceasefire by the rebels.
“The AU Mediator and the Panel emphasised the importance of fostering dialogue and cooperation among the conflicting parties, welcoming recent commitments to a peaceful resolution.
“They reaffirmed their collective dedication to achieving lasting stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the broader region,” a statement from Uhuru’s office said.
The other facilitators included former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), Mokgweetsi Masisi (Botswana), Catherine Samba-Panza (CAR), and Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia).
The leaders met on May 17.
The panel of facilitators expressed appreciation to President Gnassingbé for his leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing peace in Africa.
The Panel of facilitators was constituted in February, unifying the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes that had attempted to resolve the issues in the DRC.
It followed a Joint Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC).
The summit was co-chaired by Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe and SADC Chairperson, and William Samoei Ruto, President of Kenya and EAC Chairperson, was held in Dar es Salaam on February 8, 2025.
In April, President of the Togolese Republic Faure Gnassingbé, also took over the role of AU Mediator following the exit of João Lourenço of Angola.
President Lourenço relinquished his role as Mediator due to his expanded responsibilities and commitments as AU Chairperson.
During his exit in March, he proposed the appointment of Gnassingbé.
